Can You Recommend Short Suspense Mystery Books Under 200 Pages?

2025-07-07 04:04:42 163

5 Answers

Theo
Theo
2025-07-11 12:00:13
As someone who devours mystery novels but often struggles to find time for lengthy reads, I've built a curated list of short yet gripping suspense books under 200 pages. 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' by Agatha Christie is a masterpiece of brevity and twisty brilliance—Hercule Poirot’s small-town investigation will leave you reeling. Another favorite is 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle' by Shirley Jackson, a gothic-tinged psychological thriller that packs eerie vibes into 160 pages.

For noir enthusiasts, 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain is a tight 110-page rollercoaster of crime and passion. If you prefer modern voices, 'Fever Dream' by Samanta Schweblin is a hallucinatory 192-page nightmare that lingers long after. Don’t overlook 'The Drowning Girl' by Caitlín R. Kiernan, a haunting blend of folklore and madness in just under 200 pages. Each of these proves suspense doesn’t need length to deliver punch.
Zion
Zion
2025-07-10 02:55:57
Short suspense mysteries are my jam—perfect for a rainy afternoon or a commute. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is the gold standard; ten strangers on an island, bodies dropping, and only 272 pages (some editions trim it under 200). For something darker, 'The Double' by José Saramago explores identity theft with existential dread in 176 pages. 'The Vegetarian' by Han Kang isn’t traditional mystery but a surreal, unsettling 192-page dive into obsession. If you crave bite-sized Sherlock, 'A Scandal in Bohemia' (a 50-page short story) is iconic. Pro tip: Check out 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson—technically a short story, but its 30 pages will wreck you.
Emma
Emma
2025-07-12 10:36:49
I love recommending 'The Sense of an Ending' by Julian Barnes—a 150-page literary mystery about memory’s unreliability. It’s more introspective than whodunit, but the slow reveal is worth it. 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James (117 pages) is a ghostly psychological puzzle. For something pulpy, 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon' by Stephen King (224 pages in some editions, but often abridged) traps a kid in the woods with something lurking. Short mysteries prove tension thrives in constraints.
Ava
Ava
2025-07-12 10:42:25
For tightly wound suspense, 'The Birds' by Daphne du Maurier (a 70-page novella) is terrifying in its simplicity—nature turns against humans. 'Gone Girl' fans might enjoy 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides (just under 200 pages), where a therapist unravels a mute patient’s crime. 'Elevation' by Stephen King (160 pages) blends mystery with supernatural kindness. And don’t skip 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman—a 60-page feminist horror-mystery hybrid. Brevity amplifies dread.
Quinn
Quinn
2025-07-10 18:26:43
If you want quick chills, 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier (under 200 in abridged versions) is gothic perfection. 'The Hollow Man' by John Dickson Carr (180 pages) is a locked-room classic. For modern minimalism, 'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata (176 pages) has unsettling undertones. 'The Luminous Dead' by Caitlin Starling (192 pages) traps a cave diver with a manipulative handler. Short page counts, maximum unease.
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